Design thinking is an analytical and creative process that engages individuals in experimentation, ideation, and prototyping, as well as in gathering feedback and redesigning solutions (Šuligoj et al., 2020). It is integrated into both formal and informal education. Educators can incorporate it into their professional practice through simple activities—such as reading books—to foster children’s empathy, problem-solving abilities, teamwork, communication, and other key competencies. As a contemporary pedagogical approach, design thinking enhances creativity, supports prototype development, and involves evaluation of the learning process. The method can be effectively linked with various technologies that enable prototype creation. One such technology is laser technology, which allows for the precise fabrication of products from diverse materials. The term laser is an acronym for Light Amplification by Stimulated Emission of Radiation (Kannatey-Asibu, 2023).
This thesis integrates design thinking and laser technology with the aim of promoting the development of empathetic and design-oriented thinking in children. To achieve this, a series of activities on the topic of laser technology was designed and implemented with a group of children aged 5 to 6 years. Using laser technology, various objects and didactic games were created for the children to explore and manipulate. Each child was individually observed during play, and the observations were recorded on an observation sheet, with particular attention given to their problem-solving strategies in specific games.
A questionnaire was also prepared for preschool teachers and distributed via the 1KA online platform. The survey examined teachers’ familiarity with design thinking and the extent to which they apply it in their work, as well as their knowledge of laser technology. A total of 70 preschool teachers from kindergartens across Slovenia participated in the study. The results showed that teachers are generally well acquainted with the concept of laser technology. However, their understanding of design thinking is more limited—or in some cases absent—though they recognize the importance of its individual phases and incorporate them into their educational practice.
This thesis is intended for preschool teachers and other professionals interested in integrating laser technology into early childhood education to foster design thinking. It also serves as a valuable resource for students who wish to further research or explore this topic in the future. Additionally, it presents didactic toys created using laser technology as engaging tools for encouraging design thinking among preschool children.
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